§ 25. Sir A. V. Harveyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what basis the contract was given to the Royal Netherlands Harbour Works Limited for the construction of a new deep-water wharf to be built at Malta; and how the British tenders compared with the one accepted.
§ Mr. J. AmeryTenders for the construction of a deep-water harbour were invited on the basis of open competitive bidding. That of the Royal Netherlands Harbour Works Limited was accepted on the recommendation of a United Kingdom firm of consulting engineers. The lowest British tender was about £89,000 more.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyWill my hon. Friend say whether it is the policy to accept the lowest tender? Will he bear in mind that it is unfortunate that, with all the millions of British taxpayers' money going into Malta, this business has been given by contract to continental firms at a time when British firms badly needed work?
§ Mr. AmeryThe award of the contract was made by the Malta Government, and it has not been the policy of Her Majesty's Government to make financial aid to a territory dependent on the award of contracts to British firms.